Vacuum closing machine



p 1935- R. E J. NORDQUIST 2,012,971

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 t i 97 m4m2 385 4 E I 2 I I lNiiToR 8% 6 W ATTORNEY VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Sept;3, 1935.

Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1935.- R. E. J.NORDQUIST VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 4WNN ATTORN EY R. E. J. NORDQUIST VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed Mai'ch 25,1929 Sept. 3, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1935. R.E. J. NORDQUIST 2,012,971

VACUUM CLOSING" MACHINE I Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 HHMEE45} \a E xx g QM Sept. 3, 1935. R. E. J. NORDQUIST VACUUM CLOSINGMACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR 8 BY r w T nATTORNEY i Al P 1935- R. E. J. NORDQUIST 2,012,971

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Sept. 3,-193 5.

R. E. J. \NORDQUIST 2,012,971

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets- Sheet 9 fiillllllll l-l t (9 3 g z; ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Ronald E. J. Nordqulst, Maplewood,N. J., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporationof New Jersey Application March 25, 1929, Serial No. 349,855

23 Claims. (01. 113-1) -be substantially or fullyexhausted from thecontainer and so that all containers may be sealed under substantiallyconstant vacuum,

An important object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus inwhich the sealing of the container is prevented when the properpredetermined vacuum does not exist.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a valvefor conveying containers into and out of a vacuum chamber so mounted asto be readily removable from operating position without disturbing thesetting .of any of the timed elements connected therewith, the removedposition of the val permitting access to the interior of the valve andto adjacent parts of the vacuum chamber. U

A further important object of the invention is the provision of animproved cooling system for a sealing or seaming head mechanism,comprising parts operating at high speed, and confined entirely within avacuum chamber, such cooling system contemplating water circulation forand through certain of the stationary parts and expansion of air withina highly rarefied atmosphere with its resulting refrigeratingcharacteristics for certain of the high velocity moving parts.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a seamingmechanism and a valve which introduces a can with a' loosely appliedcover into a vacuum chamber, and a guideway leading from the valve tothe seaming mechanism, both valve and guideway regulating proper partialseparation of the can and cover during their introduction into thechamber to insure withdrawal of the air from the interiorof the canprior to the sealing of the cover thereto.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a casing builtup in sections, a minimum number of certain sections carrying some ofthe working parts of the apparatus whereby the assembling of thesections with each other and with the remaining parts of the apparatusis greatly facilitated and whereby an air tight vacuum chamber isprovided having a minimum number of openings in the casing wall and aminimum number of operating elements projecting through the casing andinto an outside atmosphere, this construction insuring a chamber capableof maintaining an extremely high degree of vacuum.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the vacuum closing machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the machine, taken substantiallyalong line 3-3 in Fig. 4, parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional View taken substantially along the line 44 inFig. 3, parts being removed and broken away;

Fig. 5 is a. top plan view of the principal gearing in the machine,shafts being in section and the associated and interventing frame partsbeing removed and some gear parts being broken away;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan, sectional view of the valve and itssupporting frame the latter being swung outwardly into non-operatingposition;

Fig. '1 is a front elevation of the lower part of the machine;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic front elevation of the can conveying devicesand associated gearing, supporting frame parts being removed;

Fig. 9 is a longitudina1 sectional view of the lower part of themachine'the section being taken along a plane substantially indicated bythe broken line 9-9 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong line Ill-I in Fig. 4;

Fig, 11 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line Il-H in Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a skeleton view of those parts directly associated with thewater and air cooling systems;

Fig. 13 is a skeleton view of the seaming head illustrating partslocated along the line l3-l3 in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating parts of the aircooling system;

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view of the upper part of the machine,the view being taken substantially along line-l'l5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken along line lG-IB in Fig.15,

Fig. 1'7 is a sectional view, parts shown in elevation, taken along linelI-l'l in Fig. 16, and

Fig. 18 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along line l8l 8 inFig. 7.

Fig. 19 is a sectional plan view taken substan- -tially along thelinel9-l9 inFig. 9.

Fig. 20 is a transverse section view taken substantially along thebroken line 20-20 in Fig. 17.

The present invention contemplates the use of an apparatus comprising astandard form of sealing mechanism herein illustrated as a doubleseaming mechanism that is adaptedfor closing containers or cans that arefilled in normal atmospheric conditions and closing the cans within avacuum chamber surrounding the sealing mechanism the chamber being underother than normal atmospheric conditions." Cans with loose ly appliedcovers (illustrated as being clinched about the upper flange of the can)arereceived within the machine in untimed relation and the cans are thentimed with conveying mechanism which presents the cans successively tothe pockets of a rotary valve member.

The valve transfers each can to. an opening communicating with thevacuum. chamber and the can is then moved into a pocket of an inter--mittently moving turret. This turret carries the can to the seamingstation where can and cover after being clamped within a seaming headare double seamed or'otherwise united by a usual form of seamingmechanism. This seaming operation takes place while the can stillremains in the pocket of the turret the latter being on its rest periodat such a time. Following the sealing of the cover to the can the-seamedcan is then returned to a pocket of the valve and further moved todischarge mechanism.

The chamber into which the can is introduced is connected with vacuumcontrol devices which regulate the amount of vacuum, a device operatingto stop the machine in the event that the vacuum falls below a certainpredetermined point. Parts of the seaming head are continuously movingand the frictional heat generated thereby is dissipated by a watercooling system. A rotating seaming head which carries seaming rollersand associated mechanism is further cooled by atmospheric air introducedinto the vacuum chamber. Owing to the high degree of vacuum within thechamber this relatively small amount of atmospheric air upon beingreleased within the chamber is rapidly expanded this resulting ineflicient refrigeration of the atmosphere adjacent the rotating seaminghead.

The working and supporting parts of the appal parts of the seamingmechanism.

Casing- 24 is provided with an opening 21 which is closed by a door 28hinged at 29 to the casing 24, see also Fig. 2. Door 28 is held insealed position against a flange of casing 24 by means of hand clamps 3|threaded about hinge latches 32 pivoted to lugs 33 projected from thecasing a packing 36 carried in a groove formed in the flange of the door28 is tightly forced against the flange surrounding opening 21 of casing24 and forms a hermetic closure for the vacuum chamber 26. A glasswindow 31 is inserted in door 28 and permits visual inspection of thecan being closed in the double seaming mechanism. The seaming .mechanismincludes a seaming head designated generally'by the numeral 38positioned entirely within the vacuum chamber 26. Also positioned withinthe vacuum chamber 26 and beneath head 38 is a can turret 39 which movesa can onto can lifting and positioning devices designatedgenerally bythe numeral 40.

Stationary parts of head 38 are mounted upon and carried by columns 4|(Figs. 3 and 12) bolted at 42 to the casing cover 25. .All of theseaming head mechanism'is thus suspended from casing cover 25. Seaminghead 38 comprises a seaming head housing 43 directly engaging thecolumns 4| and clamped thereon in a predetermined vertical position bycooperation with column caps '44. Housing 43 is adjusted up and downalong the columns 4| by a connecting screw 45 having right and left handthreads which connect the housing 43 and the cover 25.

Housing 43 is provided with a chamber 46 (Fig. 13) through which iscirculated a cooling fluid, circulation also being had within chambers41 on the inside of columns 4|. This cooling mechanism preferablycomprises'a water circulating system=illustrated in detail in Fig. 12. Areservoir 5| is formed in the base 2| and contains a given amount ofwater 52 introduced into the reservoir through a filling neck 53 closedby a hinge cap 54 (see also Figs. 1, 3 and 9).

A rotary pump 55 (Fig. 12) is mounted within the reservoir 5| on abracket 56 carried by the base 2| and the intake 51 of the pump extendsbelow the level of the water 52. The other or outlet side of pump 55 isconnected by a pipe 58 to a flexible hose 59 in turn connected to thelower end of one of the columns 4| The flexible .hose 59 providescommunication with chamber 41 of the one column 4| and a hose 62connects the upper end of this chamber 41 in this column with the upperpart of chamber 46 in housing 43. A second flexible hose 63 connects thelower part of the chamber 46 with the upper end of the chamber 41enclosed in the second column 4|.

A flexible hose 64 secured to the lower end of the second column 4|provides communication between the lower end of its chamber 41 and apassageway 65 formed in a valve block 66 threadedly secured within awall of casing 24 (Fig. 1). This passageway connects with a pipe 61extending downwardly into the reservoir 5|,

the bottom end of pipe 61 being at the normal water level of the liquid52. Heat generated by the moving parts of the seaming head 38 is carriedby conduction through the walls of chambers 46 and 41 and passes intothe water 52 which is circulated through the described connections bythe pump 55. A rotating member 1| of the seaming head 38 (Fig. 3), maybe of usual or preferred type wherein seaming rollers 12 carried therebyare carried about a chuck 13. This rotating member 1| is preferablyformed with projecting flns or annular ridges 14 which increase theouter surface of the same and permit increased cooling action of airintroduced into the chamber adjacent the periphery thereof.

The air cooling device referred to comprises a nozzle 15 (Figs. 3, 12and 14) carried by a bracket 16 bolted to the lower end of one of thecolumns 4 I. Nozzle 15 is adjacent to the periphery of head member 1|and communicates by means of a flexible hose 11 with the valve block 66,the interior of the hose 11 communicating with a passageway 18 thereincontrolled by a pet cock 19. Upon opening of the pet cock 19 air fromoutside the vacuum chamber rushes through the passageway 18, the hose 11and nozzle 15 to the inside of the chamber where it expands rapidlycausing refrigeration within the vicinity immediately surrounding theperiphery of the revolving head 1I. This expanded air absorbs heat fromthe revolving head with a resulting cooling of the same.

Seaming head 38 is controlled in a usual manner by connection with avertical shaft 8| (Fig. 3) extending upwardly through the casing cover25. A stufiing box 82 surrounds shaft 8| adjacent the place where itextends outside of the cover 25 and prevents leakage of air betweenshaft and cover. At the same time shaft 8I can freely rotate withinabearing 83 formed in an upper gear housing 84 mounted upon the cover25.

Shaft til at its upper end carries a bevel gear 85 which meshes with asimilar gear 88 secured to a horizontal drive shaft 81. Shaft 81 isjournalled in bearings 88 formed in housing 84 and has a drive pulley 89loosely mounted thereon. Power from a source outside of the machine iscommunicated to the pulley 89 in any usual manner to cause rotationthereof, this constituting a driving element of the machine. Anystandard form of clutch 9| is interposed between the pulley 89 and thedrive shaft 81 and when in clutched position connects these parts andthus causes rotation of the shaft 81 with the rotation of the pulley 89.

Clutch 9| (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is thrown into clutched or unclutchedposition by movement of a yoke lever' 92 pivoted on an arm 93 projectedfrom gear housing 84. Lever 92 carries trunnions 94 pivotally connectingwith a collar 95 operating over one of the bearings 88 and movingagainst a plate 96 associated with the clutch 9I. In one position of thecollar 95 the clutch 9| connects the pulley 89 and shaft 81 as aforesaidand in a second position the clutch disconnects these parts.

Lever 92 is shifted to cause movement of collar 95. by movement of aconnecting rod 91 pivotally connected at one end with the lever 92 andat its opposite end with an oscillating disk 98 mounted to turn. about astud 99 carried by the upper part of housing 84. Disk 98 is pivotallyconnected at I 8I to a bar I02 in turn pivotally connected at I93 to anarm I84 carried by a rock shaft I85 oscillated by a control handle I06.Operation of handle I96 thus actuates the clutch to connect c:disconnectthe driven and driving parts of the machine. Disk 98 carries alug I81 in which is adjustably secured a stop bolt I08 adapted to strikeagainst a lug I09 when disk 98 is in one position.

All movements of the driving mechanisms for operating the variousunits-in the apparatus are derived directly or indirectly by connectionwith the drive shaft 81. The seaming head 38 through its connectinggears 85 and 88 just described is one example. Movement for the canturret 39 and the can lifting and positioning devices 48 cover 23. Aform of Geneva transmission, in part carried by shaft I I2 operates toimpart step movement to the shaft, the part of the transmission socarried comprising a disk H4 keyed to and held upon the lower end ofshaft II2 (see also Figs. 5, 9 and 19). Disk II 4 carries a series ofspaced rollers II5 loosely mounted upon pins IIB. .A roller H5 isengaged within a cam groove II1 of an irregular shaped cam II8 securedto a horizontal shaft II9.

The shape of cam groove II1'is such as to impart a partial rotation tothe disk II 4 which is followed by a rest periodfboth movement and.

rest taking place with each complete rotation of the cam member I I8.For this purpose the cam groove I I1 extends around more than half ofthe perimeter of the cam II8; Throughout contact between the inclinedsections of the cam groove land a roller II5 movement of the disk II4takes place, then follows a rest period as the end of the cam grooveleads the roller, and

throughout the remaining cycle of rotation of cam II8, disk H4 is heldstationary by a locking ring segment I 2| carried by the cam I!8.- Thissegment engages within one of a series of grooves I22 formed in thebottom face of disk H4. Can turret 39 is thus moved in accordance withdisk IM'and shaft II 2 for the purpose of presenting cans to the seaminghead as hereinafter set forth.

Shaft I I9 (Figs. 3, 5 and 9) is journalled within a bearing I25 carriedby a depending bracket I26 formed integrally with the housing cover 23and in a bearing I21 carried by a bracket I28 also formed integrallywith the housing cover 23. The end of shaft I I9 adjacent the cam H8 andbearings I25 and I21 is positioned within an oil chamber I29 formed bythe lower gear housing 22 and the housing cover 23. Oil chamber I29 isthus positioned directly beneath the vacuum chamber 26 and is separatedtherefrom by the upper surface of the housing cover 23.

Chamber I29 is adapted to contain lubricating oil I3I in which the canturret driving parts and other mechanism operate. The upper level of theoil extends to a point just beneath the upper edge of the gear housing22 providing a head space I32 above the oil which is connected with theupper part of the vacuum chamber 26 by 'a vertically positioned pipe I33carried within a boss I34 formed in the upper surface of the covermember 23.

This pipe construction insures the same atmospheric conditions withinthe chambers I29 and 26, these being normally under a substantial vacuumor rarefied atmosphere. Such an equalization of pressures within the twochambers 26 and I29 prevents raising of the oil I3I around and aboutshaft H2 and other parts of the mechanism and its passage into thevacuum chamber.

The housing cover also carries mechanism of the can lifting andpositioning devices 49. These devices comprise a lifting plunger I42positioned within the vacuum chamber and held within a sleeve I83 movingup and down in a bearing I44 formed integrally with the housing cover23. The plunger may be yieldingly connected with the sleeve as by aspring connection, not shown, this being a usual construction inplungers of this type.

Plunger I42 is directly beneath and in axial alignment with chuck 13 ofthe seaming mechanism its sleeve I43 extending through the cover 23 andinto the head space I32 of the oil chamber I29. At its lower end sleeveI43 carries a cam roller '41 which rests upon a ring cam I48 carried bya flange I49 of a cam member I5I keyed to a vertical shaft I 52journalled in a bearing 1 53 formed in the upper wall of housing cover23 and within a bearing I54 carried by the bracket I28.

Continual rotation of shaft I52 within its bearings I53 and I54 carriescam ring I48 beneath roller I41 and this action by reason of the varyingthickness of cam ring I48 raises and lowers sleeve I43 and plunger I42.Cam member I5I also carries a cam flange I 55 spaced from ring cam I48which is engaged by a cam roller I56 mounted on the same axis as rollerI41 and carried by the sleeve I43.

Cam flange I 55 cooperating with ring cam I48 thus holds roller I41against its cam surface and causes sleeve I43 and plunger I42 to followthe ring cam I48. Shaft I52 receives continual rotation from shaft II9by a gear connection comprising bevel gears I51 and I58 carried by therespective shafts I52 and H9.

Shaft II9 (Figs. 5 and 9) projects through one wall of the housing 22, astuffing box I6I being mounted on shaft II9 where it passes from thechamber I29. This permits rotation of the shaft H9 and prevents passageof air into the said chamber.

The outer end of shaft II 9 exterior of the chamber I29 is carried inbearings I62 formed in a housing I63 mounted on base 2|. Shaft II9(Figs. 8 and 9) carries a sprocket I64 over which operates a chain I65also passing over a sprocket I36 mounted on a shaft I61 connected withthe rotor member of the water pump 55. Rotation of the shaft H9 is bythis means transmitted to the pump 55 for the circulation of the coolingwater within the seaming head mechanism as previously described.Sprocket I64 and chain I65 are positioned within a housing I68 mountedupon base 2|.

Shaft II9 (Figs, 3, 5, 8 and 9) carries within the housing I63, a bevelgear I1I which meshes with a similar gear I12 keyed to the lower end ofa vertical shaft I13; Shaft I13 at its lower end rotates within bearingsI14 formed in a valve frame I15 carried upon housing I63. -The upper endof shaft I13 rotates within a bearing I16 formed in the upper gearhousing 84. Bearing I16 is further reinforced by a sleeve I11 boltedthereto and extending downwardly around shaft I13 this constructionholding shaft I 13 more rigid.

The upper end of shaft I13 positioned within the housing 84 carries aspur gear I8I (Figs. 3 and 5) normally connected therewith by a slipclutch device hereinafter fully explained, and said gear I 8| mesheswith an idler gear I82 rotating about a stud I83 secured within a bossI84 formed in the housing 84. Gear I82 in turn meshes with an idler gearI85 rotating about a stud I86 secured within bearings I81 formed in thehousing 84. Gear I85 is formed integrally with a. gear I88 which in turnmeshes with a gear I89 formed integrally with the gear 85 carried byshaft 8I.

Through the described connection it will be evident that drive shaft 81furnishes a driving power for not only the entire seaming mechanism,

positioned within the upper part of chamber 26 but also the mechanismcontained within oil chamber I29 and the lower part of chamber 26, thislatter. mechanism relating to the can turret 39 ,and the can lifting andpositioning devices 48. It should also be observed that a large part ofthis driving connection is exterior to chambers 26 and I29 and thatconnection with the mechanism Within the chambers is made at cured tothe upper end of sleeve I93.

two places only, that is by shaft 8| surrounded with its stuffing box 82and by shaft H9 surrounded by its stufling box I6I. This constructionpermits easy assembly of the parts, affords driving connections exteriorof the chambers for certain can feeding devices to be hereinafterdescribed, and furthermore provides a more eiiicient vacuum chamber withminimum possibilities for leaks.

The slip clutch connected with gear I8I is illustrated in Fig. 15 andcomprises a series of balls I9I retained within an outwardly extendingflange I92 of a sleeve I93 keyed to and held on the upper end of shaftI13. The balls I9I are confined between gear I8I and a sliding collarI94 surrounding the sleeve I93, being slidable along a feather I95secured to the sleeve I33. This connection permits sliding movementbetween collar and sleeve, preventing relative rotation therebetween. Acoil spring I96 surrounds the stem of collar I94 and is interposedbetween a part thereof and threaded washers I91 adjustably se- By thismeans the balls I9I are normally forced downwardly and normally eachball is seated within a depression formed in the upper end of a bushingI98 inserted within the gear I8I.

As long as balls I9.I are engaged within their respective bushings I98the gear I8I is locked with the sleeve I93 which in turn is keyed to theshaft I13. In case of a jam or excess strain on the driven parts, whichwould result in locking the shaft I13 against rotation, spring I96yields sufiiciently to permit slight sliding movement of the collar I94as the balls I9I ride out of their seats within the bushings I98. Eachbushing I98 is positioned at a different distance from the center of theshaft I13 andthis insures proper timing by requiring a completerevolution of the gear I8I about shaft I13 before the balls are again inlocking position.

Cans 208 with loosely applied covers 28I are introduced into and areremoved from chamber 26 through an opening 202 (Figs. 3 and 4) formed incasing 24 opposite the opening 21. The introduction of the cans withinthe chamber 26 and their removal therefrom takes place without anyappreciable impairment of the vacuum existing the other cans, a transferdevice for moving the timed cans from the timing mechanism, a valvemember for receiving cans from the transfer device and positioning theminto a pocket I I I of the can turret 39, the can turret 39, whichintermittently advances the can and which presents it to the seamingmechanism and again returns it to a pocket of the valve member, and adischarge device for conveying the cans from the valve and out of themachine. The mechanisms of these various devices will now be describedinthe order here given.

All of the mechanisms just mentioned except can turret 39 are mountedupon and carried by the valve frame I15 (Figs. 4, 5 and 8). The canswith loosely applied covers are introduced into the machine by thefeeding device, which comprises a continuously moving conveyor chain 293passing over an idler sprocket 204 mounted on a shaft 205 journalled ina feed-in table 206 carried by the valve frame I15. The forward end ofchain 203 passes over a sprocket 201 secured to a shaft 208 journalledin the table 206. Shaft 208 (Fig. also carries a bevel pinion 209 whichmeshes with a bevel gear 2I I secured to a vertical shaft 212 journalledin the table 206. Shaft 2I2 carries a gear 2I3 which meshes with a gear2 secured to a valve shaft 2I5 (Figs. 3 and 11) journalled in a bearing2 I 6 formed in valve frame I15. Gear 2I4 (Fig. 5) also meshes with agear 2I1 secured to shaft I13, which shaft thus furnishes the drivingenergy for the conveyor chain 203.

The upper run of conveyor chain 203 passes along a slot 22I (Fig. 4) cutin the upper surface of table 206. The incoming cans 200 with theirapplied covers 20I are supported upon the conveyor 203 andmoved over theupper surface of the table 206 in processional order. During thispassage of the cans the same are guided between walls 222 and 223mounted upon table 206. Walls 222 and 223 extend to a point above thecan and are covered by a plate 224 (Figs. 1 and 2) hinged at 225 on wall223 and on a housing 226 formed in the wall 223. This constructionprovides a tunnel for the incoming cans. the hinge plate tunnel and tothe cans therein, the plate at such time being swung about its hinges.The timing mechanism is located to one side of table 206 and comprises aspiral thread 221 (Figs. 4 and 8) .formed on a sleeve 228 fixed to ashaft 229 rotating in bearings 23I formed in the housing 226. Thread 221gradually and uniformly increases in size from its beginning where itcoincides with the diameter of the sleeve 228, this being at the endfirst engaged by the incoming cans, up to its maximum diameter at theend of the sleeve. This thread engages each can successively, retardsand separates the same, the conveyor chain 203 sliding beneath the cansas they move forward at a slower rate of travel. Thread 221 at its largeend times the forward travel of the can in synchronism with the otheroperations of the machine.

Devices for rotating shaft 229, sleeve 228 and its thread 221 comprise abevel gear 232 secured to shaft 229 and meshing with a similar gear 233formed integrally with a shaft 234 journalled within the forward bearing23I and within a bearing 235 (Fig. '1) bolted to the table 206. Theopposite end of shaft 234 carries a bevel gear 236 (Figs. 5 and 8) whichmeshes with a gear 231 secured to shaft 208.

A can 200 reaching the forward end of the thread 221 is engaged by anarm of a star wheel -24I (Figs. 4 and 8) secured to the upper end ofshaft 2 I2, this constituting a can transfer device. Star wheel 24Islides the can over a surface 242, which is a continuation of the uppersurface of table 206, during which time the can traverses asubstantially 'circular path being moved between guide rails 243 and 244carried by valve frame I15. The circular guide rails 243 and 244 areeccentrically positioned relative to the shaft 2I2 and the can passingtherethrough is therefore accelerated. This acceleration properly spacesthe cans for entry into the pockets of a rotating valve member.

Guide rail 244 extends above the top of the can and a circular wall 245mounted upon the valve frame 515 and concentric with shaft M2 is of thesame height. A cover plate 246 (Fig. 2) rests upon guide rail 244 andwall 245 and these parts completely enclose the star wheel 2 and thecans moving therewith.

The valve member (Figs. 3, 4 and 11) comprises a circular drum or valve241 keyed to shaft 2I5, the same being supported, during its rotation,by the bearing 2I6. A- can 200 received from star wheel 24I rests withina pocket 248 of the valve 241 and is thereby carried around a circularpath of travel to the opening 202 of the vacuum chamber 26. During apart of the rotation of the valve 241 each chamber 248 is sealed againstthe outside atmosphere, this being accomplished by a member interposedbetween the valve and the casing 24.

This sealing member comprises a hollow float valve seat member 25Ipositioned in front of opening 202 and partially encircling the outsideof the valve 241, an inner chamber 252 thereof communicating with theopening 202. Opening 252 adjacent chamber 26 is surrounded by a flange253 cooperating with a flange 254 formed in the seaming casing 24.Floatvalve seat member 25I is movably held in position relative tocasing 24 by studs 255 passing through openings formed in the flanges253 and 254.

Flange 254 is provided with a groove 256 extending around theopening202. A corresponding aligned groove 251 is formed in the flange 253, anda resilient or flexible tubular member 258 is positioned within saidgrooves. This tubular member provides a seal for the joint between theflanges 253 and 254 and at the same time holds the float valve seatmember 25I in air-tight position against the face of the valve 241. Thetubular member 258 is inflated through valve 250 and the pressure forcesthe float valve 25I against the valve seat member 241 and therebyprovides air tight but movable contact between those members.

An oiling and scraping device (Figs. 1, 4 and 11) is provided to aid inan easy movement of the valve 241 within the seat of the float valveseat member 25 I. ing substantially the entire height of valve 241 andhinged at 262 to abracket 263 bolted to the float valve seat member 25I.Plate 26I' is provided with a scraper-blade 264 which normally restsagainst the outer periphery of the valve 241. This normal position ismaintained by springs 265 interposed between the plate 26I and thebracket 263. Scraper blade 264 (Fig. 18) is used to remove any foreignmaterial which might collect on the outer surface of the valve so as toclean said surface. The close fit necessary atv all times between. valveandvalve seat makes such a scraping device highly desirable.

Plate 26I is also provided with a channel 266 extending throughout itsentire height and in this channel is positioned a follower strip 261backed up by springs 260recessed in the plate. A felt or other suitabletype of wick 268 is confined within the slot 266 with its outer edgemunicates with a similar passage 212 which connects with an oil drip cup213 mounted on the extension 269. Oil dropping from the cup 213 flows bygravity through the passageways 212 and 21! and is absorbed by thewick268 which in turn applies a film of oil to the outer periphery ofthe valve 24! as it rotates. As illustrated in Fig'. 4 this oilingdevice is positioned directly back of the scraper blade 264 and thus inposition to apply oil to the cleaned surface of the valve which movescontinually past scraper and oiler.

The top of each pocket 248 (Figs. 3 and is only a short distance abovethe can 288 positioned therein and thepockets total height is thereforeconsiderably less than the height of the valve 241. This provides afloor215 for each pocket on which a can rests and also a ceiling 216 spaced aslight distance above the top of a can cover resting upon its can. Aseach pocket 248 during its movement with the rotating valve 24!,connects with the opening 252 .of the float valve seat member 25! (Fig.4), air in the pocket surrounding the can quickly passes into the vacuumv chamber 26 causing a reduction in air pressure within the pocket.Simultaneously, or perhaps immediately following, the air within the canwhich is also at atmospheric pressure, begins to escape and this causesa slight lifting of the can cover 28!. This action of lifting of thecover is limited by the ceiling 216 of the turret pocket 248 and thecover cannot be raised beyond a predetermined position. 7

Where the can cover 28! is clinched onto the can 288, this being theform illustrated in the drawings, a curl 21'! of the cover extends overa flange 278 of the can. The ceiling 216 of the turret pocket 248 inthis case prevents the lifting of the cover 28! to a point where itscurl 27'! would lock against the can flange 218 for if such a lookingaction took place the escape of the air from the interior of the canwould be retarded. It is desirable that this air be withdrawn from theinterior of the can as rapidly as possible and nec essary that thepredetermined vacuum be established inside the can prior to its beingclamped at the seaming station.

Discharge arms 28! (Figs. 3, 4 and 10) are positioned within eachchamber 248 and are keyed to a vertical shaft 282 which oscillateswithin a bushing 283 and within a bearing 284 both carried by the valve241. Two arms are illustrated in the drawings, there being an arm forengagement with the upper end of the can and an arm' for lowerengagement with the bottom end of the can. The upper arm 28! (Fig. 10)is provided with a slot 285 which permits contact with both the wall ofthe can 288 and with the cover 28! and the lower arm is provided with asimilar slot 288 which permits contact with the wall of the can 288 andwith the bottom seam of the same.

The arms 28! within a pocket 248 rest in their innermost position when acan 288 enters, they being confined within recesses 281 cut in thepocket wall, (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) Upon alignment of a pocket 248 with theopening 252 of the float valve seat member 25! the arms 28! are movedoutwardly to project the can resting therein through the opening 252 andinto a pocket I of the can turret 39. This movement of the arms 28! iscam controlled.

Each shaft 282 extends beyond its bushing 283 and carries an arm 288(Figs. 3, 4 and 11) which in turn carries a cam roller 289 operatingwithin a cam groove 29! formed in a valve cover 292 secured to anauxiliary valve frame 293 in which rotates the upper end of the shaft2!5. Valve cover 292 being held against movement and valve 24! beingrotated therebeneath, each cam roller 289 traverses the cam groove 29!which, by reason of its contour, shifts arm 288 and thereby oscillatesthe shaft 282 to move arms 28! as aforesaid.

Can 288 (Fig. 4) moving from the valve pocket 248 and passing throughopening 252 of the valve and into the chamber 26 through its opening282, enters into a pocket of turret 39 and moves onto and over a table294 secured to lugs 295 projected from the inner wall of casing 24.

Cover 28! clinched upon the can 288, during this passage into chamber26, remains in position permitting discharge of the, air from theinterior of the can, the raised cover resting against and moving alongthe underside of a guide rail 296 (Figs. 4 and 10) positioned aboveturret 39, the lower surface of which is in exact alignment with theceiling 216 of the pocket 248. Rail 296 extends from the point ofentrance of the can within the chamber 26 to the seaming station wherethe can is brought upon the plunger I42 of the can lifting andpositioning mechanism 48. Rail 296 is secured to a circular guide wall29! which practically encircles the can turret 39 and which is supportedupon lugs 295 of the casing 24. Wall 29! guides each can 288 in itscircular path of travel over the table 294 and holds the same within theturret 39.

The can intermittently moved by the can turret 39, is brought to rest attwo idle stations, before being brought to rest upon plunger !42 (Fig.3) at the seaming station. Following the seaming operation the seamedcan is further intermittently advanced by the can turret 39 through twomore idle stations and is finally moved into a pocket 248 of valve 24!this pocket having just been emptied of a can entering turret 39. Duringthis reentrance of the seamed can into the valve pocket, arms 28! areheld in retracted position, having been returned to this position byaction of cam groove 29! operating on the roller 289 associatedtherewith. Fig. 18 illustrates this roller 289 at a high point 298 ofgroove 29!; this action holding arms 28! extended. The incline in thecam groove 29! to the right of this high point 298 effects retraction ofarm 28! as valve 24'! moves pocket 248 into the can receiving positionjust described. Upon further movement of the valve 241, such cans arecarried thereby to a position of discharge.

The discharge device comprises a disk 38! (Figs. 4 and 9) keyed to avertical shaft 382 journalled in a bearing 383 formed in the valve frameI15 and in a table 384 carried by the valve frame !'!5. The can is againprojected from its pocket 248 by outward movement of arms 28! and in sodoing passes upon the rotating disk 38 The can is carried by therotating disk 38! in a circular path of travel being confined at suchtime between an outer wall 385. formed integrally with wall 244 carriedby the table 384,

and an inner wall 386 of a housing 38'! mounted upon the table 384.

Disk 38! is continually rotated by a connection illustrated in Figs. 5and 9, comprising a spur gear 388 carried by the shaft 382 and meshingwith the gear 2I4.

The can carried by disk 38! is then discharged onto the upper surface oftable 384 and onto the upper run of a conveyor chain 3! (Figs. 4 and 8)operating in a slot 3|2 cut in the fioor thereof. Conveyor chain 3!!operates over a drive sprocket 3!3 keyed to a, horizontal shaft 3!4 (seealso Figs. 5 and 9) journalled in a bearing 3!!:

32I, rotating with a shaft 322 journalled in the table 304, and over anidler sprocket 323 rotating with a shaft 324 also journalled in the saidtable. Conveyor chain 3II thus carries the seamed can over table 384 andbetween guide walls 325 and 326 supported thereupon, the former being anextension of wall 305, the latter being an extension of wall 306.

Provision is made for swinging the entire valve frame I15 about-theshaft I13 to move valve 241 from operating position. Inasmuch as all ofthe can conveying mechanism relating to feeding a can into the valve andremoving it therefrom is.

mounted upon frame I15, this shifting of the said frame also moves theseparts bodily. The open position of valve'frame I15 is illustrated inFig. 6, this position permitting inspection of the opening 252, thefloat valve seat member 25I, the inner face of the valve 241 and anycans that may be therein at the time. a

Frame I15 is connected with a lower supporting housing 33I (Figs. 3and'1) which carries the weight of the frame and parts carried thereby.Housing 33I rests upon an upper horizontal surface 332 of a box frame333 carried by the base 2|. When the valve frame I15 and associatedparts are moved outwardly to open position housing 33I slides along thesurface 332, but does not pass therefrom. a

The valve frame and associated parts are retained in closed position,the bottom part being held by a bolt 334 passing through the housing 33Iand threadedly secured within a projection 335 formed on frame 333. Theupper part of the valve mechanism is also bolted, frame 293 beingprovided with an extension arm 336 through which passes a bolt 331threadedly secured witht in the casing 24. Arm 336 also extendslaterally and embraces shaft I13 in a bearing 338 which is directlybeneath the sleeve I11.

It will now be evident by referring to Figs.3, '1 and 9, that theremoval of-bolts 334 and 331 will leave the frame I15 and all partscarried thereby free to be moved about the shaft I13, bearing 338forming one pivotal connection with the shaft and bearing I14 of valveframe I15 moving within the housing I63 forming the second pivotalconnectieh. The weight of the entire moving parts however is sustainedat; all times a by the frame 333 as aforesaid. A sleeve 339 posislopingtoward a passageway 342 leading to the outside of the casing clever 23and closed during normal operation of the machine by a pipe plug 343.Water and foreign substances carried thereby thus drains totthe lowpoint during this flushing operation and flows through the passageway342. It will be understood that such a cleaning operation takes placewhen the machine is v 7 not operating and with the door 28 open, thisrelatively large opening permitting easy access to the interior of thechamber 26". Bearings I I3'and I44 of shaft H2 and sleeve I43 extendingthrough the cover 23 into the oil chamber I29 are elevated sufiicientlyto prevent passage of water into oil chamber I29 beneath.

It is sometimes desirable for the machine manufacturer to know how mucha machine has been operated and to provide for a device concealed withinthe machine that will make some kind of a record of the number ofrevolutions of some moving part thereof. Machines of the character ofthe vacuum closing machine of the present invention are often leased tosmall canners on a rental basis and a record of operations is thusnecessary. Such a device is provided in the apparatus disclosed in thedrawings and consists of able dial 348, (Fig. 1). Mechanism 341 islocated within a chamber 349 formed in the valve frame I15. Access tothecounting mechanism for the purpose of reading the recorded.revolutions of the gear 2I5 is possible by removal of a cover plate Icovering chamber 349 and secured by bolts 352.

Air is removed from the vacuum chamber 25 through a pipe line 355 (Fig.2) one end of which communicates with the interior of the chamber, beingbolted to the casing 24 at 358. The other end of the pipe line connectswith a usual or preferred form of vacuum source, which may be a vacuumpump or similar device:

A vacuum regulator valve 358 is positioned in the pipe line 355 andlimits the degree of rarification of the air within the chamber 26, orin other words prevents the degree of vacuum exceeding a predeterminedgauge point. Thisdevice acts as a'regulator and after chamber 26 hasreached its vacuous condition this condition is maintained, therelatively small amount of air admitted with each entering pocket of thevalve member and through nozzle 15 being insufficient to affect it. V

In the event that the vacuum within chamber 26 falls below apredetermined point or gauge reading, an automatic device which isprovided operates to shift the mechanism associated with the clutchconnecting the driving pulley 89 and the drive shaft 81 so that theseparts will be disconnected and themachine operations cease. Such acontrol device is illustrated in detail in Figs. -15, 16 and 17.

The principal working parts of this mechanism are carried by a tubularcasing 36I mounted upon the upper gear housing 84. Casing 36I enclosesthe upper end of shaft I 13 and the slip clutch mechanism relating tothe gear I8I previously described. Casing 36I is surmounted by a covermember 362, which forms the bottom of a chamher 363 enclosed-by walls364 and closed at its upperend by a top plate 335. Y

' A bar 359 is provided for actuation of the drive clutch 9| previouslydescribed (Fig. 2), one end of the bar extending to a position adjacentthe pivot I and the bar at its other end sliding over the upper edge ofthe casing 36I and beneath the cover 362. Bar 359 at this place (Fig.slides within a. slot 366 formed in the cover 362. Bar 359 in oneposition is adapted to be latched, the bar being moved to this positionby engagement with the end of bar I92 (Fig. 2) when the latter isshifted by handle I06 to connect the clutch 9|.

This latch device comprises a slide 361 (Fig. 17) operating in guideways368 formed in a casing 369 mounted on casing 36I and closing one end ofchamber 363. During normal operation of the machine, slide 361 is heldin lowered or latched position by a spring 31I interposed between theupper end thereof and a cover plate. 312 fixed to casing 369. When slide361 is in this lowered position an extension 313 thereof rests within aslot 314 out in the upper face of the bar 359 (see also Fig. 16). Oneend of slot 314 (see also Fig. 20) is inclined and corresponds withan-inclined edge 315 formed on the extension 313. This permits slidingof bar 359 in one direction (toward left Fig. 16) which movement is madeas just described through handle lever I06.

Such a movement of bar 359 is resisted by a spring 316 resting against ahead 311 formed on one end of the bar 359, this end sliding within ablock 310 secured to the casing 36L The outer end of spring 316 is heldwithin the end of a cylinder 319 threadedly secured to the block 318.While the machine is operating, or when it is stopped by manual controlof handle lever I06, slide 361 holds its extension 313 in the slot 314.Provision, however, is made in the nature of a control device, forlifting the slide 361 arid releasing the bar 359 which when freed fromthe latch moves under action of spring 316 to strike 4 against bar I02and by moving it to disconnect clutch 9| and stop the machine. Thiscontrol device is actuated in three different ways, first by reductionof vacuum within chamber 26 below a certain point, second by amechanical connection with the slip clutch of gear I8I, and third byadmission of air to certain parts of the device. The first and secondactuations are automatic, the third is at the will of the operator IThese will now be described.

Chamber 26 is in communication with a line i of pipe 38I, one end ofwhich is screwed into the casing cover (Fig. 1), and the opposite end isthreadedly secured to a cylinder head 382 fixed 1n one end of a cylinder383 connected to the casing 36I (Fig.' 15), cylinder 383 enclosing achamber 384 having an end wall 385. 383 extends forwardly beyond wall385 and connects with side walls 364, these connecting parts providingthe chamber 363 previously described.

A passageway 386 is formed in cylinder head 382 and connects theinterior of pipe 38I with the interior of a sylphon bellows 381 attachedto the head 382 and positioned within the chamber 384. The interior ofbellows 381 is thus in- Cylinder by an adjusting nut 390 threadedlyconnected, therewith said collar confining a spring 393 between it andthe wall 385. .Rod 39I and spring 393 are positioned within chamber 363,the former being connected to a bell crank lever 394 pivoted on a fixedshaft 395 carried by the side walls 364.

Bell crank lever 394 is loosely connected at 396 to-an arm 391 pivotedon a pin 398 carried by the slide 361. Arm 391 carries an extension hook399 adapted to be moved into the path of travel of a vertically slidingrod 40I moving within a bore 402 -formed in casing 36I.

Rod 40I is raised and lowered by a cam, the rod carrying at its lowerextremity a block 403 on which is rotatably mounted a cam roller 404which operates within a cam groove 405 formed in the collar I94. Theupper end of rod 40I is provided with a notch 406 which engages andseats the hook 399 of the arm 391 when the former is in the properposition.

Chamber 384 (Fig. 15) is at all times under atmospheric pressure and thespring 393 is of proper adjusted strength to balance the difierencebetween this atmospheric pressure operating against the end of bellows381 and the rarefied air pressure or vacuum on the interior thereof.This balanced position is illustrated in Fig. 15, hook 399 of arm 391being swung to one side and out of the path of travel of the rod 40I atsuch time. Rod MI is lifted with each rotation of the shaft I13 but aslong as the proper degree of vacuum exists within the chamber 26 and thebalance is maintained this lifting of rod MI is without efiect.

When the vacuum within chamber 26 is reduced, or otherwise stated whenthe actual pressure is increased, the balance between interior andexterior of the bellows 381 is disturbed such action then moving rod 39Itoward the right, shifting bell crank lever 394, lifting arm 391 andmoving its hook extension into the path of travel of the rising rod 40I.Upon engagement between notch 406 and hook 399 further lifting of rod40I raises the entire slide 361 and parts carried thereby against theaction of theispring 31I.

Extension 313 is thereupon carried out of groove 314 of bar 359 andspring 3.16 then slides the bar which throws the. clutch mechanism outof engagement stopping the machine. This constitutes the first automaticaction of the control device.

For the second actuation, which takes place when gear I8I is held; thereis provided a second vertical rod 401 sliding within a bore 408 formedin casing 361, the upper end of the rod engaging slide 361 (Figs. 16 and1'1). The lower end of rod 401 carries a pin 409 which projects over theupper shoulder of the collar member I94. Upon operation of the collarI94 against the action of spring I96 rod 401 is correspondingly liftedto raise slide 361 and disengage its extension 313 from the bar 359 in amanner identical with that just described. This prevents damage to themachine which might otherwise result if it continued to run afterslipping of the gear clutch members A simple wayof stopping the machinewhen the operator so desires is by admission of air to the interior ofbellows 381. A pipe T 4 (Figs. 1 and 15) is interposed within the pipeline "I near cylinder 383, a pipe 4I2 being connected to one branch ofthe T, and a standard finger controlled valve 4 I3 being positioned in aconvenient location on said pipe 4| 2. Upon depression of its button 4air passes into pipe 2, T I, pipe 38L passageway 386 and into theinterior of the sylphon bellows 381 thus disturbing the balance andlifting the slide 361 to free thebar 359, which slides as previouslydescribed to disconnect the driving and driven elements.

A vacuum gauge M5 is secured to the casing 24 (Figs. 1 and 3) and thisgives a visual indication of the condition of vacuum within chamber 26.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit and scopeof'the invention, or sacrificing all of its material advantages, theform hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber and having an openingcommunicating with said' chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent saidchamber for delivering cans thereto including a valve having a pluralityof can receiving pockets, a feeding device for untimed cans, a transferdevice for moving a can from the feeding device to a pocket of saidvalve and timing mechanism for individually timing and presenting eachcan to the transfer device, a clutch through which the said mechanism isoperated, and means controlled by the degree of vacuum in said vacuumchamber for disconnecting said clutch.

2. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanismarranged in said chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber fordelivering cans thereto, including a valve having a plurality of canreceiving pockets, a frame in which said valve is mounted, said framehaving movable association with the casing whereby the valve surface maybe moved out of and into operating contact with the surface of saidchamber.

3. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanismarranged in said chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber fordelivering cans thereto, including a valve having a plurality of canreceiving pockets and having a rotary bearing against said chamber, ashaft carried by said casing, and a frame pivoted on the shaft andcarrying said valve.

4. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing pro-- viding a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanismarranged in said chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber fordelivering cans thereto, including a valve having a plurality of canreceiving pockets and having a rotary bearing against said chamber, ashaft carried by said casing, a frame pivoted on the shaft and carryingsaid valve, and means for locking said frame and valve in valveoperating position.

5. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealingcontainers, thecombination of a casing providing a seaming chamber, having an openingcommunicating with said chamber, seaming mechanism arranged in saidchamber, a. frame pivotally connected with said casing, conveyingmechanism adjacent said chamber for delivering cans thereto including avalve having a plurality of can receiving pockets and carried by saidframe, feeding and transferring devices carmechanisms for operating theseaming and conveying mechanisms, and control devices, including abellows having its interior in communication with the interior of thevacuum'chamber, for terminating the operation of the actuatingmechanisms upon reduction of the predetermined vacuum within said vacuumchamber.

7. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefiedatmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged within said chamber, conveyingmechanism for presenting cans to the seaming mechanism, actuatingmechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, automaticcontrol devices operable by a change in said rarefied atmosphere forrendering inoperative the said actuating mechanisms, and means formanually operating said automatic control devices.

8. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefiedatmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged within said chamber, conveyingmechanism for presenting cans to the seaming mechanism, actuatingmechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, automaticcontrol devices, including a bellows having its interior incommunication with the interior of the vacuum chamber and operating uponreduction of the predetermined vacuum within said vacuum chamber andsaid bellows to terminate the operation of the actuating mechanisms, andmeans for manually reducing the vacuum within said bellows in order toeffect such termination.

9. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, in combination,a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism including a rotating seaming headarranged in said chamber, and means 5 introducing air into said chamberand in controlled amounts for cooling said head by its expansion.

10. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, in combination,a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism including a rotating seaming headarranged in said chamber, a stationary air nozzle mounted within saidvacuum chamber adjacent said rotating seaming head, and a connectingmember forming communication between said nozzle and a source of airsupply whereby a given quantity .of air is introduced within the vacuumchamber and directed against the rotating seaming head.

11. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing, containers, incombination, a-vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism comprising a rotatingseaming head and relatively stationary supporting frame parts arrangedin said chamber, and means comprising devices for circulating a coolingfluid through parts of said stationary frame for dissipating frictionalheat generated by the rotating seaming head about its stationarysupporting frame.

12. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism in said chamber,conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber for delivering cans theretoincluding a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets, a framein which said valve operates, and a recording counting mechanismconcealed within said frame and connecting with said valve for recordingthe operations thereof.

13. An apparatus for closing containers and the like, comprising,seaming mechanism, a casing providing an air tight chamber about saidseaming mechanism, mechanism adjacent said chamher for conveying cans,with their covers loosely applied, to and from the casing including avalve having a plurality of can receiving pockets, and fingers mountedin said pockets adapted to engage both cans and covers and to eject thesame from their pockets within said valve and into said chamber.

14. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefiedatmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, conveyingmechanism for delivering cans with covers loosely applied to the seamingmechanism within said chamber, and means, operating while the interiorof the can is in communication with said rarefied atmosphere of thechamber, for maintaining an air passageway between said canand cover. 1

15. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefiedatmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, conveyingmechanism for delivering cans with covers loosely clinched thereon tothe seaming mechanism within said chamber, and a cover retaining platearranged in said vacuum chamber and above the path of travel of the canand cover within said rarefied atmosphere for spacing said clinchedcover away from the can and maintaining an air passageway therebetween.

16. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, and having anopening communicating with said chamber, avalve having a plurality ofcan receiving pockets positioned in said opening for delivering cansinto said vacuum chamber, and a cleaning device mounted adjacent to andfrictionally engaging said valve.

17. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber and having an openingcommunicating with said chamber, a valve having a plurality of canreceiving pockets positioned in said opening for delivering cans intosaid vacuum chamber, and an oiling device mounted adjacent to andfrictionally engaging said valve.

18. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing en closing a vacuum chamber and having anopening communicating with said chamber, a valve having a plurality ofcan receiving pockets positioned in said opening for delivering cansinto said vacuum chamber, and a cleaning and oiling device hingedlymounted adjacent said valve and comprising a cleaning scraper and anoiling wick yieldingly held in frictional engagement with said valve.

19. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanismarranged in said chamber, a gear and moving parts housing below saidchamber, gear and moving parts in said housing, and an oil bath in whichsaid gear and moving parts are immersed.

'20. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanismarranged in said chamber, a gear and moving parts housing below saidchamber, gear and moving parts in said housing, an oil bath in whichsaid gear and moving parts are immersed, and means establishing thevacuum pressure of said chamber on said oil bath.

21. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a seaming head, can moving devices for moving cans to andfrom said seaming head, a casing providing a vacuum chamber surroundingthe seaming head and the can moving devices, actuating mechanisms foroperating the seaming head, and the can moving devicescomprising-a driveshaft, a set of instrumentalities extending through the upper part ofsaid casing for transmitting motion from said shaft to said seaminghead, a second set of instrumentalities extending through the lower partof said casing for transmitting motion to the can moving devices, andmeans for maintaining a vacuum within the vacuum chamber whilepermitting relative movement between the casing on the one hand and theinstrumentalities on the other.

22. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefied atmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged within said chamber, conveyingmechanism for presenting cans to the seaming mechanism, actuatingmechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, controldevices for rendering inoperative the said actuating mechanisms,automatic means for operating said control devices,

said means being operable by a change in the rarefied atmosphere Withinthe vacuum chamber, and by an abnormal condition in the conveyingmechanism, and means for manually operating said control devices.

23. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, thecombination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain'a rarefiedatmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged within said chamber, conveyingmechanism for presenting cans to the seaming mechanism, actuatingmechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, automaticcontrol devices, including a bellows having its interior incommunication with the interior of the vacuum chamber and operating uponreduction of the predetermined vacuum within said vacuum chamber andsaid bellows to terminate the operation of the actuating mechanisms,means for terminating the operation of the actuating mechanismsindependent of said bellows, and means for manually reducing the vacuumwithin said bellows in order to effect termination by said bellows.

RONALD E. J. NORDQUIST.

